Dialogue & Debate Association (DDA)

A non-governmental, non-profit organization working on peacebuilding, youth empowerment, and strengthening democracy in Libya.

DDA utilizes debating, open discussions, mediation, conflict resolution, and capacity building programs as tools for its mission.

Founded in:

2014

In March of this year, DDA obtained its legal registration as a debating club under the name “Dialogue and Debate Club (DDC)”.

Institutionalization:

2018

At the start of 2018, the club transformed into a national organization operating through clubs spread across various cities,and towns in Libya.

Our Vision

The Dialogue and Debate Association, through its mission aims to create:

Conflict-free societies, and a world in which youth play an important role in change.

Get to know to our Coreteam

Years of work

Awards

2017

Excellence 🇱🇾

Excellence Award, as the NGO of the year, the Civil Society Commission – Misrata Branch.

2018

Sami and Tawfiq Award 🇪🇺

For the best peacebuilding project in the Maghreb region – European Union

2019

Debate Pioneers 🇶🇦

For the best organisation that works in spreading arabic debating in the world – QatarDebate

2020

Social Innovation Award 🇹🇷

For the best organizations working to solve social issues in their respective countries – Business Poineers

Our mission

We enhance the role of youth in their communities and inspire societies through dialogue to move towards peacebuilding and development and deny violence and terrorism.

Our Objectives

Develop the capacities of youth and improve the leadership role of youth.
Support democracy in Libya.
Change the culture of the Libyan youth and creating a new pattern of believing in co-existence and respecting others’ opinions.
Raise awareness in the Libyan society of public issues through dialogue.
Strengthen the social fabric among the different Libyan social components.

Quotes

As young people, we must believe in our abilities and potential to have a role in building change. We need to create opportunities because they don’t come to us on their own!

Emad Shanab, Chairperson

Address:

Alkhasah Ali Khalifa Alzaidi St, Ras Ammar, Misrata, Libya.

on Google Maps

Breif

The Dialogue and Debate Association (DDA) is a Libyan youth-led non-governmental organization based in the city of Misrata. It was established on March 4th, 2014. DDA, as an independent entity, aims to promote values and principles of dialogue, advocating for respect for different perspectives and accepting criticism. It calls for constructive and fruitful dialogue among community members to establish a broad base of active youth elites who believe in democracy, strive for peace, and reject violence.

DDA utilizes debating, open discussions, mediation, conflict resolution, and capacity-building programs as tools for its mission in Libya. This, in turn, directly contributes to equipping trained youth leaders who work towards effecting change in their communities.

Since its establishment, Dialogue & Debate Association has organized hundreds of dialogue forums and training sessions in the fields of public speaking, conflict resolution, and debates. These activities took place in over 40 different Libyan cities. The training varied from local forums and workshops held in cities, universities, and civil society organizations, to national forums and training sessions that involved young people and decision-makers from various Libyan cities. Additionally, virtual training sessions were conducted, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of these efforts, more than 4,800 young men and women from various Libyan cities and villages have been trained in face-to-face sessions, in addition to more than 6,000 trainees who took our free remote training courses. They have become activists who work to promote dialogue values in their local communities. DDA also has invested in advanced training courses, as it developed around 180 debate trainers and adjudicators. Furthermore, directly as a result of these efforts, 20 local debate clubs and organizations were established in 16 different Libyan cities, along with a significant number of other debate clubs indirectly established in various cities in Libya. This has created a network of youth working within the framework of their clubs to promote a culture of dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and social cohesion in Libya. Furthermore, DDA engaged with more than 15,000 young men and women in face-to-face dialogue forums and open discussion sessions.

In 2015, amidst the civil wars that were ravaging Libya during that period, the Dialogue & Debate Association launched “Let Be Heard” project. This project emphasized the importance of amplifying the voices of youth advocating for peace and denouncing violence. DDA utilized the tool of debate to advocate for this cause. Over 200 young people from more than 15 different Libyan cities were trained in advocacy through three national youth gatherings. These efforts ultimately contributed to the cessation of several conflicts in Libya.

Additionally, the Dialogue & Debate Association succeeded in bringing together youth from conflict areas in Libya, notably in the case of Misrata and Tawergha. It organized various workshops that gathered young people from both cities, with the latest one taking place in Tawergha as a groundbreaking initiative. Debates were used as a tool to discuss topics and generate discussions related to peacebuilding, national reconciliation, and the return of internally displaced persons and refugees. Several peace initiatives between the two cities emerged from these efforts, leading to the participation of three young individuals in the official-appointed Reconciliation Committee. Their work culminated in the signing of a reconciliation agreement during the month of Ramadan in 2018, enabling the safe return of displaced individuals to their homes. This initiative was widely recognized at both the national and international levels as one of the prominent initiatives that played a role in national reconciliation in Libya.

Moreover, the Dialogue & Debate Association organized several advanced training programs in the field of debating, including logic, public speaking, adjudication, and training of debate trainers. Those who have been involved in such capacity-building programs facilitated local and national tournaments and supported the preparation of multiple teams that participated in regional and international debate competitions.

The work of the Dialogue & Debate Association has been recognized regionally and internationally. In April 2018, the “Let’s Be Heard” project which used debate as a tool to promote peace among young leaders from conflict-affected areas in Libya, won the “Sami and Tawfiq” award for the best peacebuilding project in the Maghreb region, presented by the European Union. In March 2019, the Dialogue & Debate Association was honored with the “Debate Pioneers” award by the QatarDebate, recognizing it as the best organization promoting debate culture in the Arabic language worldwide. As an appreciation for their dedication and organized work, DDA also received the “Excellence” award for the NGO of the year of 2017 from the Commission of Civil Society – Misrata branch.

The Dialogue & Debate Association primarily relies on volunteer work, with 152 volunteers from all over Libya. They have six full-time employees and two part-time employees. The association is governed by a five-member board of directors, led by Mr. Emad Shanab, who won the “40 Under 40” award in 2021, recognizing his more than 10-year journey of civil work in supporting youth, peacebuilding, and promoting dialogue and debate. The association is managed by Mr. Mohamed Abu Snaina, who has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since 2018. He also won the “40 Under 40” award in 2023 for his management of the Dialogue & Debate Association and his efforts in spreading debate culture and supporting democracy in Libya.

The headquarters of the Dialogue & Debate Association is located on Alkhasah Ali Khalifa Alzaidi St, Ras Ammar, in the center of Misrata city, and it is the only office DDA has in Libya. However, the association carries out activities in various regions of Libya through its trainers and partner organizations and clubs, which are located in 16 cities across the country.

Our Headquarters

Alkhasah Ali Khalifa Alzaidi St, Ras Ammar, Misrata, Libya.

on Google Maps

Problem tree

That’s how the dream of establishing DDA began, through a very initial analysis of the problem tree at the end of the year 2013.

Misrata & Tawergha reconciliation journey.

Debating

We enhance youth rhetoric, critic and persuasive capabilities providing them with suitable specified platforms to make their voices heard in both public debates, local & international tournaments.

Dialogue & Mediation

We Discuss ideas & societal concern with no prejudice nor racism, involving both youth and general public with official and decision makers, launching initiatives for peace building supporting coexistence rejecting violence.

Youth Empowerment

We empower youth & women building their capabilities in the fields of politics and societal work through including them in workshops in intensive trainings that aims to build generations that are able to lead and impact.